Football Practices for the First Time and Enjoys Atlantis

Video Recap of Practice.

Video of Captains Visit to Dolphin Cay.

Video of the Beach Bash.

Practice Photo Gallery.

Swim With Dolphins Photo Gallery.

Beach Bash Photo Gallery.

NASSAU, Bahamas (EMUEagles.com) - The Eastern Michigan University football team completed its second day in the Bahamas today, Tuesday, Dec. 20. The Eagles had a long day, participating in their first practice of the week in the hot tropical sun, followed by a fun day of beach activities, including swimming with dolphins, and celebrating at the "Beach Bash."

Starting early in the morning, EMU made the voyage to Thomas A. Robinson stadium for its first practice in the 80 degree temperatures. The Eagles went through a standard day of drills, individual position work, and scrimmaging on the soft stadium grass.

"It is beautiful here," redshirt junior Brogan Roback (Maumee, Ohio-Toledo St. John's Jesuit) said. "We are practicing in paradise. The stadium is awesome. The field is awesome. Just getting back out here in the warm weather is different. We are used to the cold weather in Michigan, so we are getting used to that and staying hydrated."

After putting in the hard work on the field, it was time to EMU to have some fun off of it, starting with team captains redshirt seniors Cole Gardner (Batavia, Ill.-Batavia), Mike Brown (Sandusky, Ohio-Sandusky), Pat O'Connor (Chicago, Ill.-St.Rita) and redshirt sophomore Shaq Vann (South Bend, Ind.-John Adams) swimming with the dolphins.

"I was nervous at first (to be swimming with the dolphins) because when I fish I'm kind of scared to take the fish off the hook," Brown explained. "I'm just thankful that we get to be here in the Bahamas. Then we get to play a little bit of football. I don't think life can get much better than this."

Towards the end of the day, both teams met up on the white beaches for the "Beach Bash" for an evening of fun, games, dancing, and a lot of eating. The Eagles played Olympic style games on the beach, with a breathtaking view of the Atlantic Ocean in the background. Then came time for the Popeyes chicken eating contest, between the Eagles and Monarchs.

Represented by redshirt junior Austin Barnes (Fairview Heights, Ill.-O'Fallon), and redshirt freshman Hunter Andrews (Metamora, Mich.-Lapeer) and Pete Bergman (Casper, Wyo.-Natrona County), the EMU players out-ate the ODU players to take the bragging rights, as well as the championship belts. The festivities continued after with a buffet style dinner, as well as a dance contest, as both teams celebrated well after the sun went down.

"It feels awesome, it will definitely be the first of many," Barnes said of the contest. "I'm excited for Friday, and to go against ODU again."

The balancing of practice and off-the-field activities will continue tomorrow, Wednesday, Dec. 21. Some players and staff from both Eastern Michigan and Old Dominion will visit the Ranfurly Homes for Children and will join USA Football staff members to put on a football clinic for local youth.

Eastern Michigan practice quotes Dec. 20, 2016

Kalen DeBoer – Offensive Coordinator

On Practice:
"It's fun. We have a beautiful day, a beautiful field. Our guys gave a great effort. It's a great day."

On how to install a game plan over a long period of time:
"That's a great question because you can forget the fine details. This morning we were talking about what we saw the first day we clicked on the film, because your game plan is based on what we saw those first two or three days we watched film."

How does the humidity effect the QBs/WRs handing the football:
"I think its different than where we've been. There's a little stickiness to it. Actually, I think it's a little bit easier. It's not anything we are concerned about. We have an experienced group. They will adjust."

On being in a foreign country:
"They are maybe not quite as focused as they need to be today, but the thing about our team right now is that we have enough veterans and this is important to them. I have no concerns at all that tomorrow will be a much better practice. They will enjoy themselves today. They know that we are here to win a football game and every day will be better leading up to Friday's game."

Brogan Roback - Quarterback

On Practice:
"It is beautiful here. We are practicing in paradise. The stadium is awesome. The field is awesome. Just getting back out here in the warm weather is different. We are used to the cold weather in Michigan, so we are getting used to that and staying hydrated. We have a lot to get through before the game and we will. We are cleaning up a few things, but mentally our guys are in it."

On adjusting from the cold weather in Michigan to the warm weather of the Bahamas:
"It's a mindset that we have been preparing for. Staying hydrated and doing those things. Like I said, we can't complain – it's beautiful out here. It smells like football out here."

Andrew Wylie – Offensive Line

On practice:
"The heat wasn't bad. It took a little while to get used to. Obviously we are hydrating more. It feels good though. You come out here and you are already warm. The joints are loose."

On what the experience has been like:
"It's been hectic. We had a few hours to ourselves last night, which was nice. But overall it's been hectic."

On playing one final game with his senior offensive line teammates:
"It's going to be a blast. We are going to give it all we've got. It's our last time together, all four of us, the seniors. We are going to fly around, have fun and hit some people. It's going to be great."

Eastern Michigan Athletics

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Players Mentioned

Hunter Andrews

Austin Barnes

Pete Bergman

Mike Brown

Cole Gardner

Pat O'Connor

Brogan Roback

Shaq Vann

Andrew Wylie

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